I have been asked by my Mini dealer if I want to "Simoniz" my car before I take ownership. (Yes, it's finally getting THAT close, for those aware of my minor shipping issue... stupid glove box liner!) Anyway, the process was explained to me as "Simoniz is a paint protection system that uses Teflon to protect the paint. It has a 5 year warranty, and warranties against love bugs, bugs, tree sap, bird droppings, acid rain, and the sun! Also, we treat the leather interior, and warranties any organic staining on the leather!"

What is people's take on this product and type of process? Worth the money? What are people generally paying for it?

I live in Florida, and love bugs are a definite concern. I have been advised that leaving them on a car's paint for even a 1/2 day can permanently scar the paint job, so if there is something that can help protect the car at least until I can give it a more proper cleaning as I motor around during the day, it would have some value for me.

Thanks!

 

This has been covered in other threads -- search for "teflon". The bottom line is, this treatment is pure dealer profit. If you wanted to do, you could do it yourself for a couple of bucks. It's just wax.

 

Thanks Lynn, did that already and search got a gazillion posts, most of which weren't dealing with teflon coats (more with parts), and of those that did, most were waxes or post-purchase user products. Not much there about the dealer-installed coating.

Thanks for your input. Hopefully some others will weigh in as well. My local Mini club's board has some in favor and others against this product, and products of this type, so I wanted to see what the larger NAM community has to say.

 

yeah i agree, I used to work in the car wax industry (company sold detail products to dealerships). If it is for free, do it. Do not pay for it!! Todays clear coat finishes are extremely tough, not like th older enamel paints. As long as you keep a wax coat on it, you should be fine. I have a black mini in Phx, so if you want damage, you will find it here

 

The dealer installed coating is the same stuff.

 

Dealers actally still push that crap? Are we in 1985?

 

I decided to get the treatment. I asked my dealer and the warranty covers any stains/discoloration, or fading of the paint. Love bug damage IS a real concern, and I can bring it in and have the Mini dealer do the repainting work.

More importantly, my beige leather seats will be protected and for 5 years I can get them professionally cleaned or reupholstered by the dealer. For the cost, that's a great deal. Not that it means I can blow off keeping the car clean, but I appreciate knowing that well into my car's lifespan I can have the visible areas most prone to wear and tear made to look as new again. I have white crown spokes also, so anything that helps keep them clean, I'm all in favor!

As I was told this morning, "THe Simoniz is just the intial treatment. It does include the rims, but the glass is not done. Warranty work for the interior will be done here. Warranty work for the paint is done at our body shop! There is some left over, so you get that, and can reapply to any area that ever needs to be painted."

My dealer has talked me out of upgrading some options and saved me some money on the car already. I trust him and his judgement, so while the coating by itself I'm sure isn't worth it alone, the warranty... that could be worth big bucks. If you look at it as around $60/year, it's not bad at all, and beats being frustrated in 4 1/2 years when I look at my light tan interior and see coffee stains and discoloration from clothing dyes rubbing off on the seats.

My friend who is an auto detailer in a past life told me the treatment is essentially a REALLY expensive wax job, but the warranty works out to be the best part of the deal. I don't doubt it, and I'll appreciate the peace of mind.

THanks to everyone for their input on this! I REALLY appreciate it!!

 

This reminds me of my favorite part in the movie "Fargo", where William H. Macy's character, (a car salesman), is constantly forcing the "Tru-coat" treatment on people.

"Yer gunna want that Tru-coat!"

Although, I believe Tru-coat was an undercoating for the car. But still, the fact that your dealership is pushing the Simoniz treatment on you reminds me of that unforgettable scene.

With that being said, in your situation, it does sound like a good idea.

For the rest of us NAMers, what is a Love Bug, exactly?

 

From Wikipedia:

"The love bug (also known as lovebug, march fly, honeymoon fly, telephone bug, kissybug and double-headed bug) (scientific name Plecia nearctica) is a small flying insect common to the southern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast. It is most often known as a serious nuisance to motorists."



"Its character as a public nuisance is due not to its bite or sting (as it is not capable of either) but to its apparently highly acidic body chemistry. Because airborne love bugs are drawn in enormous numbers to roadways, they die en masse on automobile windshields, hoods, and radiator grills. If left for more than an hour or two, the remains become dried and extremely difficult to remove, and their acidity pits and etches automotive paint and chrome [1]. Scrubbing deceased love bugs off the front of one's car immediately after the evening rush hour is a twice-yearly ritual for commuters in the Gulf South. The use of dryer sheets makes cleaning love bugs off your car much easier."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_bug

Hence, apparently, why the warranty costs much more in "love bug" states, according to my MA.

Notably, he has been MUCH cooler than William Macy's character, and not at all the hard-sell. I asked him if he had any suggestions for car care after the sale, and he brought it up then. I hadn't heard a word about it prior, and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to do some research instead of having to make a snap decision as I am about to hand over the check.

And there it is... the love bug. And the horrors of it's acid splat!

 

Wow, sounds like the acid that you see when an alien from the "ALIEN" movie franchise is killed, and eats through several metal floors!

Oh, the horror! Again, sounds like you made the right choice.

 

Any thoughts on "Simoniz' treatment from dealer?

My thought is stay away.
I worked at a high end dealer so they were about as good as it gets, but that is not saying much.

The paint prep, can't remember the name, was about 20 mins of a kid with a buffer and some crap "wax" they got by the barrel. This paint treatment was $200 and lasted about a month.

Their other big seller was undercoat, in Phoenix. Last time I checked there was not much salt on the road when the temp never gets below 60.

My point is that just about everything from a dealer is over priced and usually not worth having unless it is a car specific product.

 

If you are thinking of getting it for warranty reasons, read any fine print. I can see them saying it is voided if you use any product on your paint. A year down the line you come in here and post you use whatever wax, they print that up and don't honor your warranty. Not that I think it would happen, but it could, so check the fine print before handing them your money.

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Woah...I assume that that pic shows two lovebugs making their uh...namesake, and that they do not actually have two heads?